Formation of silver nanoparticles in formamide:water mixtures: a radiolytic study

The pulse radiolysis of FA and FA:water solutions was studied in the absence and presence of redox indicator 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride (methyl viologen, MV²⁺). The experiments performed in the presence of MV²⁺ have provided strong support to the idea that the first species obtained from the reaction of e_sol⁻ and ^•OH with FA produces radicals that show reactivity towards the MV²⁺. Both the radicals on reaction with MV²⁺ results in the appearance of the well-known intense blue MV^•+ radical absorption signal (λ_max = 395 nm, λ_max = 605 nm). The intermediate radicals formed during radiolysis were used to generate silver nanoparticles.